Question about 2 Catholic Books

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Hi there. I found two books at Half Price Books that I have questions about. One I know for sure is ok to read because it has.Nahil Obstat &an Imprimatur. So I know that is a true Catholic supported book. The other one is questionable because it doesn’t have the Nahil Obstat & Imprimatur. That book is Garry Wills book titled “Why Am I A Catholic?” If the Garry Wills book doesn’t have the Nahil Obstat & Imprimatur does out mean that out isn’t a good book to read since it isn’t Catholic supported? The other book I know is Catholic supported. It is called “Why Do Catholics Do That?: A.Guide To The Teachings & Practices Of The Catholic Church” by Kevin Orlin Johnson, PH.D Originally Entitled “Expressions Of The Catholic Faith” this book, Nihil Obstat is Reverend Robert A. Coerver; Censor Librom. Imprimature Most Reverend Charles Grahmann, D.D,.Bishop Of Dallas. I guess my question is this, even if a book is neither Nahil Obstat nor Imprimatur, is it still considered a Catholic Book? Can we read stuff like that?

Thank you for your time in answering my question.
God bless you & Mary Keep you,
Georgia or Gigglin.
 
Most modern books do not carry a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. Then Cardinal Ratzinger’s book Introduction to Christianity, to use one example, did not carry either, but it’s solid Catholic theology.

However, in the case of the Wills book, I’d be weary of it. He’s known as a heterodox guy.

I think it just means researching a book before purchasing, or reading it oneself. I’ve been told by several priests, regarding reading books, if it’s not a near occasion of sin for the reader not to worry about it. One priest even told me, whether to worry about it, “We had to read about heretical teachings in the Seminary.” Asking your priest would be a good idea.
 
The Nihil obstat doesn’t mean it’s a good book or that the Church endorses it. It only means that the book doesn’t contain anything contrary to faith or morals, in the judgment of the censor. Such books are generally safer, but they aren’t necessarily all gems.

Wills is essentially a Protestant.
 
Ditto the others. Here’s a recent link I found that might be helpful. marysaggies.blogspot.com/2010/05/nihil-obstat.html
As for that particular book, I only know the author as having written a book suggesting we do away with priests and undermining the Real Presence. Not something I’d read for spiritual nourishment.
 
Garry Wills’ attitudes toward the Faith might be an occasion of sin for me :rolleyes: :mad:
 
StudentMI said:
Most modern books do not carry a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. Then Cardinal Ratzinger’s book Introduction to Christianity, to use one example, did not carry either, but it’s solid Catholic theology.

However, in the case of the Wills book, I’d be weary of it. He’s known as a heterodox guy.

I think it just means researching a book before purchasing, or reading it oneself. I’ve been told by several priests, regarding reading books, if it’s not a near occasion of sin for the reader not to worry about it. One priest even told me, whether to worry about it, “We had to read about heretical teachings in the Seminary.” Asking your priest would be a good idea.
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If I may ask, what is a heterodox?
 
:shrug:Should I take the Garry Wills book back and exchange it for something else? Our should I donate the book to the church? Just asking.
 
waanju said:
Ditto the others. Here’s a recent link I found that might be helpful. marysaggies.blogspot.com/2010/05/nihil-obstat.html
As for that particular book, I only know the author as having written a book suggesting we do away with priests and undermining the Real Presence. Not something I’d read for spiritual nourishment.
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Thank you for that web address, its was great to learn about that. I’m going to have a look asy the rest of my Catholic Books & see if they have the Nahil Obstat & the Imprimatur in them. Thank you again.
 
Is the book, “A Conversation With God:, If you Could Ask God Any Question, What Would It Be?” By Alton Gansky a bad book to read?
 
Gigglin4God said:
:shrug:Should I take the Garry Wills book back and exchange it for something else? Our should I donate the book to the church? Just asking.
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If you can yes, donating won’t do anybody any good. 😃 He’s constantly attacking the Church, a Church he claims to be a part of, he’s an “anti-catholic Catholic”.
 
Gigglin4God said:
Hi there. I found two books at Half Price Books that I have questions about… That book is Garry Wills book titled “Why Am I A Catholic?” If the Garry Wills book doesn’t have the Nahil Obstat & Imprimatur does out mean that out isn’t a good book to read since it isn’t Catholic supported?

The other book…is called “Why Do Catholics Do That?: A.Guide To The Teachings & Practices Of The Catholic Church” by Kevin Orlin Johnson, PH.D

…even if a book is neither Nahil Obstat nor Imprimatur, is it still considered a Catholic Book?

Can we read stuff like that?
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The first book you mentioned is trash. As I was trying to read it, I found that he was basically saying the Church really isn’t anything special. I threw it away.

“Why do Catholics Do That?” was the first Catholic book I ever bought. It didn’t scare me off- that’s a good sign. I was an agnostic high school student at the time, but was intrigued by Catholic morality and devotion. After peeking through it just now, it seems to portray the doctrines and traditions of the Church in an attractive light. I also just found that someone who writes on the Bishop Accountability website doesn’t like him. This book just got my endorsement!

It’s best that books have Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. I’m sure there are good books whose authors or publishers never tried to get them for whatever reason, but it’s best to just stick to what has been reviewed and approved.
 
Gigglin4God said:
Is the book, “A Conversation With God:, If you Could Ask God Any Question, What Would It Be?” By Alton Gansky a bad book to read?
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What about this book? Have any of you read it?

What about the Protestant Books that are fiction? Written by Beverly Lewis & authors like her? I have alot of those books as I got them on clearance at Half Price Books. There is one of those books that is a 4 part series that would be like Hunger Games & 50 Shades Of Grey, only different. Can’t think of that author but the 4 series looks like out will be worth reading. I have other Catholic books as well. Their is like My Life With the Saints by James Martin, matthew Kelly’s book, Rediscovering Catholicism, Scott Hahn’s book A Father Who Keeps His Promises, Confession of A Mega Church Pastor, there are at least 4 more books that I just can’t remember the rest of the books. So are you going to tell me that the Protestant books like those I’ve mentioned? I’ve also have alot to do and my mom its 3rough. o myrrh to
 
Gigglin4God said:
If I may ask, what is a heterodox?
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A person who is a heterodox is a dissenter from the faith – opposite from an orthodox person, who accepts the faith full on. Literally “orthodoxy” is straight thinking or right belief, “heterodoxy” is wrong thinking.

From Wikipedia:

Orthodoxy (from Greek orthos (“right”, “true”, “straight”) + doxa (“opinion” or “belief”, related to dokein, “to think”),) is adherence to accepted norms, more specifically to creeds, especially in religion. In the narrow Christian sense, the term means “conforming to the Christian faith as represented in the creeds of the early Church”.
 
I have read the second book, by Kevin Johnson. It mostly deals with liturgical and architectural points, but for that it does very well. It gives a really detailed look at a lot of practices people don’t even think about. However, in the chapter on Salvation, there were a few things that rubbed me the wrong way. But it’s still a good book. Nothing to be worried about. It is quite similar to Scott Hahn’s “Signs of Life”.
 
Gigglin4God said:
What about this book? Have any of you read it?

What about the Protestant Books that are fiction? Written by Beverly Lewis & authors like her? I have alot of those books as I got them on clearance at Half Price Books. There is one of those books that is a 4 part series that would be like Hunger Games & 50 Shades Of Grey, only different. Can’t think of that author but the 4 series looks like out will be worth reading. I have other Catholic books as well. Their is like My Life With the Saints by James Martin, matthew Kelly’s book, Rediscovering Catholicism, Scott Hahn’s book A Father Who Keeps His Promises, Confession of A Mega Church Pastor, there are at least 4 more books that I just can’t remember the rest of the books. So are you going to tell me that the Protestant books like those I’ve mentioned? I’ve also have alot to do and my mom its 3rough. o myrrh to
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The books by Beverly Lewis and other authors who write in her vein are enjoyable, clean stories, mostly about the Amish. They aren’t great literature, just easy pleasant reads without
any doctrinal promotion, and are mostly light romance stories. There is no reason not to read them. They are not going to turn you against your faith. I have almost every book she has written downloaded on my Nook and spend many pleasant hours enjoying her simple, clean stories.
 
m134e5 said:
The first book you mentioned is trash. As I was trying to read it, I found that he was basically saying the Church really isn’t anything special. I threw it away.
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Good advice as the best place for trash is in the garbage.!
 
What about the Conversation With God Book? Is that acceptable? I just want to not read something that the Catholic Church disapproves of.
 
I have Garry Wills’s book “Why Priests?”. It thinks the idea of priests is passé.

I got through maybe a chapter or two. Then it occurred to me, if he wants pastors instead of priests, he should join a Protestant denomination. Waste of my time, so it sits gathering dust on my bookshelf. I also found one serious factual error in it where he states that in the Church only priests can administer the sacrament of marriage, which is false. The ordinary (and only!) ministers of the sacrament of marriage are the couple themselves. A priest or deacon can lead the marriage ritual (and even, I think, someone from another denomination with proper dispensation and for serious reasons).

Instead I bought the 3-volume set “The Last Lion”, the biography of Winston Churchill. Not Catholic, but darned good writing and history.

I’m also reading a good book (in French) about Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI. Obviously about the era just before and after Vatican II. Excellent read. It was written when Paul VI was still alive, so a bit dated, but an interesting perspective trying to identify who was the transitional Pope. The author’s conclusion: Paul VI.
 
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